Pressure regulating valve



May l2, 1953 G.`A. WAHLMARK PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 4, 1949 G. A. WAHLMARK PRESSURE REGULAT ING VALVE May 12, 1953 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed April 4, 1949 r l., i m

Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE Gunnar Wahlmark, Rockford, Ill. Application April 4, 1949, serial No. 85,445

12 Claims. (Cl. IS7- 1416) This invention relates generally to valves responsive automatically to pressure changes in a fluid chamber and operable to by-pass fluid when the pressure reaches a value predetermined by spring or other loading of the movable valve element. In certain of its aspects, the invention is concernedwith relief valves which incorporate an auxiliary valve controlling the ow of fluid out of the pressure chamber and adapted to effect a quick cut off of such flow in response to stopping of a pump supplying fluid to the chamber.

The general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved valve of the above character which is simple and `compact in construction, easy to manufacture, which avoids the use of sliding parts or parts requiring close tting, and which is sensitive to pressure pulsations in the pressure supply line.

A more detailed object is to provide a relief valve` in which the valving action `is achieved in anovel manner by rocking of a flapper type member to open and close a coacting port.

A further object is to combine thevalve Ilapper with a diaphragm by which the iiuid pressure chamber is sealed effectually and the flapper is supported for free rocking movement.

Another object is to combine the relief valve with an auxiliary or cut-01T valve whose movable element is also formed by the rocking apper member.

Still another object `is to provide for loading of the valve in a novel manner so as to adapt it for operation at high pressure.

The invention alsoresides in the novel construction and arrangement of the parts Whichif facilitate manufacture at low cost and provide extreme sensitivity in response to pressure changes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection` with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevational viewof a valve V embodying the novel features vention.

Fig. 2 is a diametrical sectional `View taken along the line 2--2 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 3 and 4 are sections takenrespectively along the lines 3-3 and 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section simnar tp Fig. 2 but of the valve flapper.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a of the present inmodied form o f the invention.

'.Figsp? and 8are similar sectional views of showing a different position another modification with the parts shown in different positions.

For purposes of illustration, the invention is shown in` the drawings incorporated in a selfcontained unit adapted to receive fluid at varying pressures through an inletl and deliver iluid at a substantially constant pressure from an out- I I while by-passing the fluid excess out two parts I3 and I4 clamped together by screws I5 and recessedinteriorly to form two chambers I6 and II, the former of which communicates with the inlet I0 from the pump through a pas-V sage I8 and with the by-passage outlet I2 through a passage I9 which terminates within the chamber I6 in a port 20, i municates with the chamber IB and terminates in a port 2I, the shape and location of which depend on whether or not the unit is to incorporate an auxiliary valve for providing a sharp cut-off of the iluid flow.

The invention contemplates separating theo chambers I 6 and I 'I by a apper 22 which is mounted to rock back and forth in response to pressure changes in the vchamber I6 to vary the opening ofthe by-pass port 20 so as to regulate the pressure of the iiuid delivered through the outlet II. While the apper may be 'of various shapes such as rectangular or oblong, it is preferred to employ a circular disk of suflicient p thickness to remain fiat under the applied forces.

The disk is only slightly smaller than the diameter Aof the cylindrical side Wall of the chamber I 1 in which the disk is adapted to rock o freely and is centered by the chamber side wall.

The disk .constitutes a lever and rocks about l a fulcrum 23 which extends across the disk along a chord thereof spaced a short distance from the disk edge, The fulcrum may be defined by a bar 24 within `the chamber I1 bearing against the `surface of the disk and rigidly secured to the casing part I4 as by screws 25 extending through a flange 2G and threading into the bottom Wall of the casing part I4.

In the preferred form shown in Figs. 1 to 4,

the other side of the flapperdisk 22 is covered by a relatively thin layer 2"! of less rigid material which layer forms the central portion of a diaphragm clamped around its periphery between theparts I3 and I4 of the casing. The diaphragm which is normally flat may be composed The outlet II also com-A` of relatively firm :oil resistant plastic material to overcome the spring. apper is then such as rubber, Celluloid, etc. which is sufficiently rocked about the ulcrum 23 so as to uncover the thin and deformable to iiex as illustrated in Fig. ports 2@ and 2l substantially simultaneously. 5 and allow the small movement of the l'iapp-er Fluid at the chamber pressure is admitted to the which is required to open and close the valve 5 outlet il, and, assuming a continuing supply of ports. The diaphragm eectually seals the uid uid, the chamber' pressure remains at a subchamber i6 and therefore allows a somewhat stantially constant value owing to the small adgreater degree of locseness in the t of the ilapper ditional area of the lapper which becomes exwithin the casing. The diaphragm need not be posed by uncovering of the narrow seats 3o and bonded ory otherwise 'secured to the pdskiZZ'' )u Sif Thefexcess ofziiuid which is suppliedto the The iapper, one side surface ofwhich' is chamber--l8 wi'll Vbe ley-passed vout through the formed by the yieldable material constituting port 2G at a rate which varies with changes in the central part of the diaphragm, cooperates@ theuspacing of the diaphragm 27! from the seat with the port 2D above referred toto-formthe 3..caused...bychanges in the chamber pressure. Dy-pass valve, which port is `defined by Ia h'ol' 15 Tli'us, as the pressure falls, the spring overcomes low plug Z opstanding from the bottom ini-fthe 'f theafluidapressure on the flapper and moves the chamber iti and externally beveled atits end latter closer. tothe seat 30. Similarly, an into merge with a flat annular seat 3i? of' narrow" crease inthe chamber pressure above the value radial Width around the port 20. The flatterx-iisf forwhich the spring is adjusted results in rockspaoed a substantial distance from the fulcrum 20 ing of the fiapper farther away from the valve Z-.Vpreforablygfalong:a diameter.ofathecdislfia2.. seat. 3U. thus.operu'ng.,A the..by:pass.valve toi-a perpendicular to the fulcrum. Where,.as.in tl'ieA greater degree. presentiiinstance;` the unit. incorporates..acutof The.. action .'of. the `iflapper .intcontrolling the@A valve. wesley-.passport `astshovvn.be .lo. lov-.pass .opening .,resultsin .very` close regulation catedasubstantiallya at.tl1e.centerI oi. the- ,disl tl.25 yof thechamberpressure.. Thisrisduetothe subaV whilef-thecutwor" vvport .2 i. .is.disposed.,more .ref stantial.eliminationof friction orthe.possi-bility.vl ymotelyfronrthedisl,fulcrum. of. bindingbetween the moving. parts ,.and,...as.a-

WfheLthg cui-,soif .po-rt may,. if jdesired,..be .die result,l thejapper. is'extremely.sensitivemdrele Y videtliinto 1a:.plurality offparts,.it isshownheref natively. small.,changes, inrthe. supplshpressure... inasfcemprisingran. elongatedrnarrow ,slot pare 3Q. Moreover, the construction iseXceedinglysimple alleling, ,the -fuloruml aandtsurrounded -by ailat 1 because ,close t'tinguof fthe` parts. is.. unnecesa end or seat 3i Whichisfof .narrow widthland' sary', The diaphragm 21. "eiectually.. sealstll'e dispgsefd.substantially inthe sameplane as `rthe pressure chamber- H5,Lthe11eby`,av,oiding airieake. 4seat429.411?,the..hyfpassvalve... Thetyieldablesurf age.into .the iiid-1system.- Because. of..,the^ex..

faoaof .,tlieappen, thus .fengages -.th'e. ,seats .MM35 Ttreme sensitivityl of.; the., Flap-per. to.. pressure. andgh Substantially5imu1tam0u51yand under.; changes, thevvalve isseouallyciective.forcutnoffif nearly the same pressure,y the .apper -then bef. purposes .and ,operates .to .admiti ilu'id .to .th'eout-e.` inge-.disposed ina .planeneterminedby .the three let `l l' 'or close 'the outlet in.response..to,risesandf` pointasupport .provided.by.thesfulcrumpin. Z4 falls.` of thesupplvpressure.Withinan/ery.nau-

andtonetor. both.ofthe .seats The..cutoi.jand 140 row range. Finally, the ,valveiswreadily adjusfm. Ibyepass valves, ,are `thenboth ,.closed. able ,for use Iat various..cut'ol preSsuressmDly'.

Theflap-per.illus normally-urged in,...the valve by adjusting Athe spring32. This is.possible,sb'e,.- closingf-directionby springorhydraulic .loadingrz cause the .byzpa-ss .and.cutfoportsliiLandg2I onibya combinationof botln Intheform shown occupy` the .same relation Withlrespectrto. the.. in Figs. 1 to 5, the loading .force is producedby, 5 pper, forall'operating.pressuresr.

a Acompression,springfSZdisposedion.tllefsidef If "desired,A the ,diaphragm .above ,referred.'.td.. the fia-pper oppositethe... pressure chamber., l 6 may 7^be t omitted (and the flapper, .itself adapted and .withina tubularlextension.(i3-Lof. thecasing to coactjdirectly,withthe byrpaSs-and cut-'oir-4 Ill.;r Onerend of .the spring .bearsagainst aplug, ports 20;'andj2l as sh'oWnin Fig..6." A. someyvlrat.` 1. Mrscrewedinto. the tub.e.. 33 ,and adaptedfo'r ad# 50 closer t is employed "between the peripherygofj.' justmenttotvarytheespring. force... The other. the flapper disk. andthe casing lwall,.h'ut..fthe

endf the spring bears against., an .abutment 35"" flapilr .is' nevertheless adapted to rockpfreely, onarcup `disposed.,vvithirrthe ,spring and pro about the fulcrum 23 "in vresponse to ipressure e vidingaseat. for. 'one` ,endiof `a pini'l.; The .lali-` changes within the chamber iii.. ,Inthisinstance tenis..Adisposemperpendicular, tothe` fla-@per .22 l. 55 the vbyfpass port ZU is formed ,in the .sid-e wallnf.- and.,bears-at .its other..enddirectlygagainst, the.V vthe .casing. v i3', ,While the cut-off "portjZi fis' -,de.. llapperaat afpoint-ES whichrisso-located with.; nedby; the .g end surface of [an .O` ring ,4..l.'of. reerence=.tothe valve -seats .3Q randl .that the grease resistant 'rubber or the like seated within.,

fluid pressuren. the .;apper.always.holds the a ringi andcstretchedover a.tuhe.42.pressed lai-,teraagamst itsjulcrnm- 23.1-., For `this purpose., 60 vinto.,the.casing .outlet I l.4 Ailtight..sealis 4thus-Hf the..point,.38is ,positionedapproximately oppo.- fomied around the cut ofl1outlet.. siteltheseat..Slaat the :end of 4.thevxbyfpass ,out- When `the supply pressure is4 lowf4 the..ilapper;; let .so V.that fluidp-ressure .onithatsegment .of thew 22 is .pressed against Ithe .ring-,Alas showndn disk.y 2?. goutwardly..bevondthepoint 3S .is tless.

6 and is lalso ,positionedLto .cover .thefport than. the..resultant.preSSu'e atrlg v on the re- 65. 20 yand separate the same from the chamberk mainingsegrnent vvnichincludes.the` fulcrum 23.' 16.., As the flappP/Lmovesto yopen Hthe cut-off' Inioperation of the` preferred form of the valve valve when the pressure lrises to a predeterminedshown in Figs. 1 to 4, the parts will be disposed. value,..the...p ort 2D'. is,..also partially runcovered in .rthe positions..shown.in..Fig.f.2..when. thev reto initiate byepassingof the A.f1uid\ the:l sameas.

sultant..pr.essure-.of. theluid inlthe chamber., [67.70 `in the form rst `.desc1ibed. Thereafter',l theA by is finsuiicient `to overcomefthe springlforce., The pass .port is4 opened or.closecl..different amounts latter thus hOldsthe ,diaphragml -,against..the depending on the supply pressurev variationspthe1A seatsf-Sandi I Bothavalvesreinain.closed until: resultbeingrto maintainafclosely.regulatedprestheqresultant Ipressurelin the... chamber llieacting sure within the chamberfj.- onsthearlapper2&10111115llpntofxa valuesulilcientzi-'I -1 Touadaptathe-evalvefforroperationziat thigher pressures without correspondingly increasing the size of the spring 32 and the over-all dimensions of the valve as a Whole, provision may be made for loading the ilapper wholly or partly by iiuid pressure. Such modification is shown in Figs. '1 and 8 in which the parts common to Figs. 1 to 4 are numbered correspondingly. Each of these modifications involves the use of a pressure reducing valve 43 which controls the admission of pressure iiuid from the high pressure inlet passage I 0 to the chamber i1 of the relief valve so as to maintain in thelatter a pressure which, combined with the force of the spring 32, balances the total pressure which the iiuid in the chamber I5 exerts on the diaphragm 21.

While the reducing valve may take various forms, it is shown herein as comprising a valve member or head 44 formed on a fluted stem 41 and slidable into and out of the end of a cylinder 45 forming part of a fluid passage which extends from the inlet l0 through a passage 46 and the cylinder 45 into a chamber 48 which communicates with the chamber I1 through a passage 49. The chamber 48 (Fig. 8) is disposed within the part I3 of the main valve casing, and one wall thereof is defined by a diaphragm 50 which bears against the inner end of the valve stem 41 and is held against the latter by a spring 51 acting on the head or valve member 44. The diaphragm is backed by a flapper disk 5l which, as in the case of the apper 22 is fulcrumed on a bar 52 which extends along a chord of the disk on the side thereof remote from the stem 41. The iiuid pressure acting on the diaphragm 50 is opposed by f a spring 53 acting in compression between a cap 54 and an abtument 55 which is movable with a pin 56 bearing against the flapper disk 5I substantially in alinement with the valve stem 41. The cap 54 is screwed into the casing part I4 and may be adjusted to vary the stressing of the spring 53 and therefore the pressure which the reducing valve maintains in the chambers l1 and 48.

As shown in Fig. '1, a separate diaphragm may be employed so that the relief valve may be disposed within the valve casing in any desired location. Or, as shown in Fig. 8, the diaphragm 5|) may be an extension of the main diaphragm 21 in which case the passage 49 is extended through a hole 58 in the diaphragm.

In operation of the valves as shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the main valve lapper 22 will be in closed position as shown when the pressure in the loading chamber l1 is below that which the reducing valve 43 normally maintains.

At this 1. A pressure regulating valve having, in combination, a casing comprising two parts clamped together in abutting relation, a generally flat flexible diaphragm clamped between said casing parts and dividing the casing into rst and second chambers, the first chamber having a iiuid inlet, a rigid flat disk tting loosely within the walls of said second chamber and lying against said diaphragm, means on said casing within said second chamber providing a fulcrum for said disk extending along a chord thereof on the side opposite said diaphragm, means providing a bypass outlet from said iirst chamber including a hollow projection in said first chamber spaced laterally from saidaxis and terminating in a seat of narrow width disposed close to said diaphragm for abutting engagement therewith to close the outlet, and means including a spring acting on said disk and diaphragm and urging the two toward said seat whereby to maintain said outlet closed until the pressure in said iirst chamber acting on said diaphragm rises sufficiently to move said disk and diaphragm away time, the fluid pressure exerted on the diaphragm ,l

50 is overcome by the force of the spring 53 which moves the apper 5| far enough to displace the valve member 44out of the cylinder 45. With the reducing valve thus open, pressure fluid flows from the supply passage l0 into the chambers 41 and I1 thus increasing the pressure in the latter. As this pressure increases to a value sufficient to overcome the spring 53, the iiapper 5| is rocked counterclockwise about the fulcrum 52 until the member 44 has become seated. This occurs when the predetermined pressure has been attained in the chamber l1. This pressure is maintained automatically and within close limits by the action of the Valve 43 so that the desired portion of the loading of the main valve flapper 22 may be produced by fluid pressurederived from the supply inlet l0.

I claim as my invention:

from said seat.

2. A pressure regulating valve having, in combination, a hollow casing, a flexible diaphragm dividing the casing into first and second charnbers, the first chamber having a fluid inlet, a rigid flapper iitting loosely within the walls of said second chamber and lying against said diaphragm, said flapper having a covering of yieldable material on the diaphragm side thereof, means on said casing within said second chamber providing a fulcrum for said flapper to `permit rocking thereof about an axis paralleling said diaphragm, means providing a by-pass outlet from said rst chamber including ahollow projection in said first chamber spaced laterally from said axis and terminating in a seat of narrow width disposed close to `the yieldable flapper surface for engagement therewith to close the outlet, and a spring acting on said flapper and urging the same toward said seat whereby to maintain said outlet closed until the pressure in said first chamber rises above a predetermined value.

3. A pressure regulating valve having, in comproviding a fulcrumfor said iiapperto permit rocking thereof about an axis paralleling said diaphragm, means providing a by-pass outlet from said rst chamber including a port cooperating with the yieldable flapper surface to form a valve, and means acting on said :dapper and urging the same in a `direction to close said valve until the pressure in said first chamber rises above a predetermined value.

4. A pressure regulating valve having, in coimbination, a hollow casing, a flexible diaphragm clamped between said casing parts and dividing the casing into a rst chamber having a fluid inlet and a second chamber having a generally cylindrical side wall, a flat disk tting loosely within the walls of said second chamber and lying against said diaphragm, means on said casing within said `second chamber providing a fulcrum for said disk extending along a chord thereof on the side opposite said diaphragm,

aposentos means -providingiai lay-.pass:outletffromf-saidmet chamberxincludingeafeseatxspaoedi `terallfv i" saidz'axsand:terminatingnoiose@tofsaid :disl fors engagementI therewithr to noiose: the foutl'et-,i

meansracting vonsaidfdisk to urge :the same tof closed :until the -pressure `in the y chamber arises f aboves aapredetermined value.:`

fiAxipressure regulating valve havingrinvcome; binatioira anhol-low casing,` ailexible di aphraem" dividing tithe -casingf-into :rstxand second: 'charm` anraxisilying f adj acentone side ythereof, means .1

providing f arbyepass; outlet ironrfsaid :"'rstf charniberx'laterallir spacedfiom 'saidraxs :and disposedA close o-rsaidzfiapper, for engagement 'therewith to s close: the: outlet/.4..r and meansl urging the saidp, dapper toward rsaid 'outlet to rnaintain'the voutlet y ciosediuntilz the -1pressure-insaid nrst chamber has risen above a predetermined value.

den pressure-.relief- 'fvalve como sing Afa-casing providing :a duid -ohiamberfhaving an niet open, insa a :arflierffformine -one wall of said: chame er andcpivotedf'on saidwcasingffto freek, about fan; axis lyingfadjacent oneside yor the dapper, means providing aebyfpassgoutletffromfsaid chamber in,-

clpdingfa--port andra,surroundingA seat adapted fori abutting engagement with-the opposite side oi saidefla-pper," and'rneanswacting on said eccentrically voti: said@` axis to urge; 1; the dapper` towardfsaidseat andftnereby determinetne pres-- sure. rin-lsaidecham-ber; :at whichfthef dapper .Y is moped iizogopem said ypor-tif ter-*minat-ing'` in; a port-Which is disposed on,y Athe i,

opposite fsidepgoff, said' diskgand-coaets -ivithsvthe disk to form a, valve, and a springactingyon said,y

disk eccentrica-ily ofsaid pivotal axis to urge the disk towardvsaid port andthereby deter-mine the pressure in fsaidr-chambergat which; the disk-gis' movedto open saidiport'.

8. Alpressureyrelef valve comprising ,a-casing,v

providing "a 11i-uid chamber having an linlet lopening, a napperiormingf-,one Wall of saidfchamber and `pivoted on asai-d'casing; to swingrabout anl axis; lying adj acent one t sideg. oi the;f dapper,` means;A vprovidi-ng1ja by-pass -out1 et 'f from; said chamber terminating-in a portA Whichmoacts with:v

the napper to form a'valvagandmeans acting'on"l said'fiapper eccentrically offsaidaxisto urge the flapper ina directionto close saidiportand therebyl fdetermine the pressure -in said ,chamber z at whichthe dapper-is moved to open said port.

9... A pressure relief valve comprising a casing. providing a fluid chamberl havingran inlet opening,'a-fiapper forming :one Wallof said chamber andf'pivoted on said casing to Yrookabout an axis a by-pass outlet from said ,chamber terminating ina `port'in a sidewall Lof said casing coacting with the edge of the'flapper to form aivalve, and means loading said apper to urge the same past saidport and thereby prevent the escape kof fluid out Iof said chamber ,until the pressure in, the

chamber 4llas `risensufficiently to overcome the. loadingoffthe dapper. and moved. the latterv toy uncover said port.v

adjacentone side of the fiapper, means providing 8 v10. .Afvalveoi the character"desoribedompf les' inea Vcasing providing farfluid chambeix-havingan t; inlet fopenng; a fiiappersforming oneiwalliof saids chamber andfpivoted Vonrthe :casing to .rockiabouta an axis extendingacrossone-.side ofi-the apper-,zz

means providing-twol outlets Tfrornssaidi:ohaintiel terminating in ports fvvhichsare I'laterally 1 spaced` apart .on the opposite: -side. of "the,V iapper Said i; ports being surrounded-by seats adaptedfonabutating engagement substantially simultaneouslyr with tile apper,'andmeans'loading saidf'apperfi to urge the -samefyieldably toward:said'seatseandd thereby prevent theescape of fiuidthrough'seithe r ci said ports until the chamber :pressure Lhasrisenzx, above a predetermined Vallier 11: A valveoiftlie character s describedd com'- prising a casing providingasfiuidfchamber have ing an inletv opening,- a lapper yforni-ing;oneazvalli of :said chamber and-=pivoted."on.itnefcasing tov:

- rock Yabout an axislestending acrossw-oneside Ofzi the nappe?, means providingtwo outlets fromm said vcham-ber terminating I in spaced ports. coop-f, A erating with said' 'dapper-to -erm two valves@4 adapted toee opened"substantially simultanea ouslv upon rocking or the nappes in one directieni' and to be closed uponreverse-rocking oithe flape per,- and means :loading said iiap'perwtofurgelthe T same ieldably in a direction toclosesaid valvesta thereby prevent ltlieeseape loffflnid throughr either of said ports unti=l` thechamberpresimrewx has risen above a predeterniined value.;l

12. A-valve having,hin combination; amas-instf comprising1l two parts, af iie'xible/v diaphragme clampedbetween said oasingparts-and dividi'ngf: the casingvinto first and*secondchambers;the;l 'rstjonainberhavingafluid inlet; afvapperldte tingr loosely within the Walls of said- 'secondfcham-z-- ber and lying Vagainst said ydiaphragrm-meanson v said casing Within said "second chamber :provide ing al fulcrum for'saidlapper exte11ding-across the side thereof yopposite -said `diapiiragg'm;1mear-1s'. providing an `outletrfromI said first chamberuin cluding a hollow-projectionrin said-rst-chamberl spaced laterallyirom said axis and terminating in" a seat disposed` lclose lto1saidjdiaphragmA for abutting engagomentjtherewith'to,close the'outl i let,1rneanslacting on said flapper'anddiaphragn1|^- and urgingvtheitwo toward-'said seat Wherebyto'v maintain .said loutlet Yclosed until the pressure in said first chamber acting OniSaiddiaphra-gm risesI sufficiently to move y' said disk and `-cliapl'iragrn away from said seat; said ,urging Ameans vinclud.- inga passage for establishing,coinnninioation"beu tween ,said inletI and said @second chamber, andl a spring loaded pressure reduci-,ng-valveinterl posed in said passage and operable automatically; tomaintain a predeterininedreduoed pressureiin"l said second chamber;

GUNNAR'A; WAHLMARK;

'References oit-ee insieme omnia patent UNI-TED STATESP PATENTS* Number Name Date 901,084. Frvvood...v Oct.. 13;,1908` 1,185,041 Asheyn, May V30,1916 1,698,155. Dorsey.` den., 8, ,1925)l 1,854,197 Johnson Apr. 19,"1982 2,303,130 Moon Noi/ 24J," 194:2

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country, Date '731,300 France o"1932" 

